Egg lifter



Nov. 24,` 1953 H. K. scHlLLlNG EGG LIFTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov, l0. 1949 w. 0 0/ 7//fny le@ n0 \vm /WQ 5 H m mw Z 4 @IVAM 3H 5 M ,a\\\\ w 3 2%1/ n 2 6 VA 3 ../rxf 3 uw Z XL 72 4 4 7@ 72 Z m y. um@ A Nov- 24, 1953 H. K. scHlLLlNG EGG LIFTER Filed Nov. lO, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /f Schi/H727 m. Em

/Qu/a/z i dttorneg Patented Nov. 24, 1953 UNITED S TATES F'FCE EGZG-LIFTER Hugh Kas'hilling, St llz-avlll, Application November 10, 1949-QSerialNo'.. 126157? 1:3771 Chti-fris:V (Cl. 294--1-8'71261) l My' invention relates to an improvement in1 egg' lifter wherein it is desired to provide a device` capable of lifting a multiplicity of eggs for't'ransferringA them to a different location.

Eggs are usually packed in egg cases having two'separate compartments, each holding fteen dozen eggs. The eggsare usually packed in tiers with threeV dozen eggs on each tier in each com'- partment. The eggs areusually held in properly spaced relation by a suitable filler and are usually separated into layers by suitable ats, which pref'- erably are indented so as to hold the egg. a predetermined location. The present device' is designedv to engage the. three dozen eggs. of" each layerand to support'the eggs durng'transier from the' egg case to a different location.

It is an object of the present invention to provide'a novel means for releasing the eggs. The eggs are usually supported in spacedlrelation during transfer from one location to another; Means is provided so that a` certain proportion of the eggsmay be discharged from the holder without discharging all of the eggs.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a carrier capable of lifting andisupporting ay plurality of eggs such as for example three dozen eggs and in permitting the dischargev of a lesser number of eggs, as for example one dozen eggs. As a result my lifter may be actuated to lift up the entire layer of eggs from an egg case'and` to deposit theV eggs into smaller cartons or containerscapable of' supporting a dozen-eggs. My lifter is so designed that each dozenI eggs may be separately dischargedinto a suitable individual carton or'container. f

A feature of the present invention. lies inltlie provision of an egg lifter which is capable oflift.- inga considerable number of eggs and` in pro-V viding a discharge mechanism whichmay be actuated to release all of the eggs simultaneously therefrom, or which may be actuated to-rel'ease a predetermined' proportion of the eggs. For exy ample if my lifter is designedto lift three dozen eggs, the eggs Vmaybe discharged'in unison there-il from, or maybe released' iny single dozen lots. It. preferred my device may also be actuated-tore lease a. first dozen of eggs simultaneously and the remaining two dozen eggs simultaneously. If preferred two dozen eggs may be discharged at one time and the remaining dozen may be later.` discharged.

A feature of the present invention lies in the, provision of an egg lifter comprising a frame of-- propersize to encompass theeggstoebezliftedsand; includingV partition forming elements,x designed' to;

divide'theeggslifted into a pluralityof separate with slidably supported bottomI wires which movefromopenV position-to cartonbottom closing position; Thebottomic'losuresare connected-for sepa ration nvunison' ifi-desired; or certainor the bottom closure members` maybe individuallyl operated" if desired.

These andv other objects andv` novelE features: of* my invention willv bev morel clearly andfully set forth inA thefollowi'ng specification and claims:

In'L thel drawingsformingea part of my2 specification-f' l Figure 1 is" a perspective View'v of: my" egg, lifter showing the construction thereof;

Figure 2" is a sectional view" throughthel` lifter illustrated in FgureY 1 showing the egg lifterin closed position;

Figure 3-y is-4 a* sectional' Viewx through thei egg lifter showing a portiony of; thei compartments open positionV and' the remaining compartments in' closed=position- Figure i al sectional viewl through the eggy liftershowing-'thecompartments iny open` position;

Thefgenerall form of construction of mydevice is best illustrated in` Figure 1'- ofthe drawings;

The-lifter includesia rectangularframe- Ill-having n opposed parallel ends H and' l2* and opposed parallel sides* I3v andl |42 Thev sides and ends are formed of' any` suitable material and are preferabIysuHCiently'high toenclose the eggs being'l lifteda'ndisufciently thinl so that the' lifter may" be inserted into an egg caseofinormal size. Thel egglifter isprovidedl` wit-hY a handle` l 5' by" means of Whchvthe structuremaybe-manipulated The handle islconnected to-the-'wallf Hf and extends" upwardlyl therefrom ase indicated at l-S The handle inclines'upwardly as indieatedat' I lto an intermediate--l apex i-Be Thehandle-then inclines downwardly as indicated at' toa pointr above the. endwall` i2?. Thehandlethen extendsV downwardly asW indicated; at- E0; and is secured= to the end wallz l2 by: rivets: or other suitablemeansa This handle shape isiof importance only because'- ofcfitsi convenience andl may bevaried ifl desired.

Theegg lifter illustrated isl designed toVv enclose" three'- dozen eggs; Accordingly the rectangular' frame I0 is divided between itsgend walls iirarrd` I t into 'sixY elongated sections: by; means'oi parti'- tion wires^22. 23"; Zili- 25% and 26 which are' an'- chored tothe sidewalls lf' and M' and extend. therebetweenn parallel relation and in' parallel relation to the'end-walls Hand |122. The-partition" wiresarepreferably spaced substantially from the loweriedge off the side wall's and are` arranged' to' extend between the eggs being lifted and to hold them in substantial alignment.

A movable partition wire 21 slidably supported in slots 29 and 30 in the side walls I3 and I4 respectively. The slots 29 and 30 are located near the lower edge of the side walls I3 and I4 and extend from a point substantially mid-way between the partition wire 22 andthe end wall I I to a point in close proximity to the end wall II. As a result the partition wire 21 may slide from a position substantially midway across the bottom of the rst section to a point near the frame end wall II.

A second partition wire 3l is slidably supported in parallel slots 32 and 33 in the side walls I3 and I4 respectively. The slots 32 and 33 extend from a point midway between the partition wires 22 and 23 to a point beneath the partition wire 22. In one position the partition wire 3l may act as a bottom or floor for the section partition wires 22 and 23, and in another position is vertically aligned with the partition wire 22 so as to leave this section open.

A third slidable partition member 34 is slidably supported in a pair of parallel slots 35 and 36 in the side walls I3 and I4, respectively. The slots 35 and 3S extend from the point midway between the partition wires 23 and 24 to a point beneath the partition wire 23.

A fourth slidable partition wire 31 is slidably supported in parallel slots 39 and 40 in the side walls I3 and I4 respectively. The slots 33 and 4B extend from a point substantially midway between the partition wires 24 and 25 to a point beneath the partition wire 24.

A fifth slidable partition wire 4I is slidably supported in slots 42 and d3 in the side Walls I3 and I4. The slots 42 and 43 extend from a point substantially midway between the partition wires 25 and 26 to a point beneath the partition wire 25. A sixth slidable partition wire 44 is slidably mounted in slots 45 and 45 in the end walls I3 and I4. The slots 45 and 43 extend from a point substantially mid-way between the partition wire 25 and the end wall I2 to a point beneath the partition wire 26.

The slidable partition wires 21 and 3I are connected for movement in unison by means of connecting links 41 located closely adjacent to the side walls I3 and I4. The links 41 are secured in fixed relation to the partition wires and form a xed connection so that both of these slidable partition wires slide in unison.

The partition wires 34 and 31 are similarly connected by connecting links 49 which are spot welded or otherwise connected to these partition members near the side walls I3 and I4. The slidable partition vwires 4I and 44 are similarly connected by iixed links 50 which cause these elements to move in unison.

Springs 5I connect each end of the slidable partion wire 21 to the fixed partition wire 22. This spring 5i urges the slidable partition wires 21 and 3l into staggered relationship with the partition wires 22 and 23 so as to normally form a bottom closure for the lifter sections. A spring 52 also connects the xed partition wire 2li to each end of the slidable partition wire 34 to urge the partition wires 34 and 31 into staggered relation to the fixed partition wires 23, 24, and 25.

A third spring 53 tends to normally urge the slidable partition wires 4I and 44 into staggered relation with the fixed partition wires 25 and 25.

Means are provided for moving the slidable partition wires into vertical alignment with their corresponding fixed partition members so as to open the bottom of the carrier. An inverted U-shaped handle 54 is provided with a pair of parallel arms 55 and 5E connected by a cross connecting member 51. The arms 55 are connected along aligned pivots 53 to the side Walls I3 and I4. The ends of the arms 55 and 56 bear` against the slidable partition member 31. By pivoting the handle 5t in a clockwise direction about its pivot 53 the lower ends of the arms 55 and 56 are urged against the slidable partition member 31, sliding this slidable partition member and its connected partition member 34 into vertical alignment with the xed partition wires 24 and 23 respectively.

A second operating handle 6I) includes a pair of parallel arms 6I and 62 and a connecting member 63. The arms El and E2 are pivotaily connected along aligned pivots 54 to the side walls I3 and I4. The lower ends of the arms 6I and 62 engage against the slidable partition member 3l. Upon pivotal movement of the operating handle 6U in a clockwise direction, as viewed in the drawings, the partition wire 3l is moved beneath the xed partition member 22 and the slidable partition wire 21 is moved closely adjacent to the lifter end Wall il.

A similar operating handle S5 includ-es a pair of parallel arms t3 and B1 and a connecting member 69. The arms EE and S1 are pivotally connected along aligned pivots 13 to the side walls i3 and i4. The lower ends of the arms 55 and 61 engage against the slidable partition member 4i, moving the partition wire 4| and the connected partition wire 4c into vertical alignment with the partition wires 25 and 23 respectively.

A link 1I is pivotally connected to each arm o' the operating handle 54. One arm 1I is pivotally connected to the arm 55 by a pivot 12 while the other arm 55 is connected to a second arm 1I along an aligned pivot 13. The arms 1I extend parallel to the side frames I3 and I4 and through the operating handles '63 and 35. A pin or lug 14 near one end of each arm 1I is designed to extend against a corresponding arm 6I or 32 of the handle unit 55. Pins 15 are provided near the other ends of the arms 1I for engagement against the operating handle 55.

1n order to further brace the lifter, additional partition wires may be provided at right angles to the partition wires previously described. For example, vertically spaced partition wires 16 and 11 may extend between the frame end walls II and I2 intermediate between the side walls I3 and I4 so as to hold the frame in proper relation and to divide the transverse sections into two halves. The partition wires 16 and 11 may also serve to reinforce the various partition wires and particularly the movable partition wires when they are in their lowermost position.

The various slots 29, 35, 32, 33, 35, 35, 33, 4e, 42, 43, :i5 and 46 preferably incline slightly to the horizontal, being lowest at the end intermediate the ixed partition wires and being highest at the end beneath the partition wires. This arrangement assists in the closing action of the lifter and has been found advantageous.

In operation the operating handle 54 is pivoted in a clockwise direction as viewed in the drawings, This action acts to move the slidable partition wires 34 and 31 beneath their corresponding partition wires 23 and 24. However, this pivotal action also acts through the arms 1I to pivot both the operating handles 60 and S5 in unison therewith. As a result all of the slidable partimovable-partition wire 21 which is;movedagainst the xed wall- I ll.

Holding the lifter in thisfposition the'i lifter isy inserted? into an egg case sothatthe variouslpartion wires` extend between` the eggs: thereupon'.

When the lifter has-'- been insertedi to" the neces-` sary depth, the pressure; holding the operating handle d is carefully released, the springs 5|, 52, and: 53 returning; theislidable partition units to section closing. position shown in Figure. 2 of the drawings. In this position the lower ends of the sections are closed so that the-eggs may beliftedl The lifter is next moved tothe location at which the eggs are to-be deposited; If a-ll of `the eggs areto be simultaneously deposited, theop'er ating handle 54- is againpivoted, which. acts through the arm liuto pivot-all4v of the operating handles in unison andY to slide. all? ofthe partition members into vertical alignment'- with corre'- sponding fixed partition members. However, if the eggs are to be deposited into cartons holding a dozen eggs, the lifter is lowered upon the carton so that certain of the eggs are above the carton and a corresponding operating lever is actuated to release only a portion of the eggs. For example if the portion of the lifter to the left of the iixed partition wire 23 is moved above the carton the operating handle 60 may be operated and only a dozen eggs will be deposited into the carton below.

The lifter may next be moved into position above a second carton so that the portion of the lifter to the rear of the xed partition wire 25 is above the carton. The operating handle 65 may next be actuated to drop the proper eggs into the second carton.

The lifter may then be moved so that the eggs in the center of the lifter between partition wires 23 and 25 are above the third carton. The operating handle 54E may then be actuated to release the remaining eggs into the third carton. When the eggs are deposited into indiivdual cartons, each holding one dozen eggs, it is obvious that the operating handle 54 may be actuated only after the operating handles B0 and 65 have been actuated.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my egg lifter, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made Within the scope of the following claims Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. An egg lifter including a generally rectangular frame, a series of fixed partition elements secured to extend in parallel relation between opposite sides of said frame and supported thereby, a series of parallel movable partition elements parallel to said iixed partition elements in said frame, means on said frame for supporting said movable partition elements for movement from the position in staggered relation to said xed partition elements to a position in substantially vertical alignment beneath said iixed partition elements, means engaging certain of said movable partition elements for actuating said certain movable partition elements individually, and means engaging said last named means for moving all of said movable partition elements in unison.

2. The construction described in claim 1 in which the movable partition elements are con'- nected'i in: pairs, ther. pairs I being.A movable in. uni'- SOIL 3. An eggllifter` including aH frame, a seriesrof parallel fixed-2 partition forming elements sup-Y ported" by said frame to divide said frame intol sections, a1 series of movable partition elements movably supported'Aj by said` frame' from a posi#- tion in staggered' relation to said xed partition elements to'f af position in substantial vertical alignmentf beneathl said fixedv partition elements,

means for actuatingcertain of? said partition.

formingl elements independently of the others,

and meansv cooperable with saidl last named".y means for' moving all of" said' partition formingf elements infuni'son.

4': The construction described4 inf claimL 3V andi inL which the partition forming' elements: arel connected for.v movementA in pairs, certain of said; pairs being movable independently' of= othersof saidfpairs.

5. The construction described in claim 3 and including means for normally urging said movable partitionmembers into staggered relation With said Iixecl partition members.

6. The construction described in claim 3 and including slots in said frame into which said movable partition elements extend for sliding support.

7. The construction described in claim 3 in which the means for moving the movable partition forming elements includes handle elements engageable with said movable partition elements near opposite ends thereof.

8. Th'e construction described in claim 3 in which the means for .moving the movable partition elements comprises a pair of connected arms pivotally supported by said frame for engagement against a movable partition forming element.

9. An egg lifter including a generally rectangular frame, a series of substantially parallel partition forming elements extending across said frame and supported thereby, a series of movably supported partition forming elements slidably supported by said frame in parallel relation beneath said first named partition forming elements, means connecting said movable partition forming elements in pairs, each pair being individually movable, and means for individually moving the partition forming elements of each pair. 10. The construction described in claim 9 in which the moving means includes an inverted U-shaped lever having its ends pivoted on aligned pivots to opposite sides of said frame, the ends of said U-shaped lever being engageable against a movable partition forming element to move the same.

11. The structure described in claim 9 and including resilient means for normally urging said movable partition forming elements into staggered relation to said fixed partition forming elements.

12. An egg lifter including a generally rectangular frame having xed partition forming elements extending in parallel xed relation secured to opposite sides thereof, a series of movably supported partition forming elements supported by said opposite sides in parallel relation to said xed partition forming elements and at a lower elevation with respect thereto, said movable partition forming elements being connected in pairs for movement in unison, a means for moving each pair of movable partition forming elements, said last named means including an inverted U-shaped lever having the opposite sides thereof connected to said opposite sides of said :frame along aligned pivots, the ends of said lever sides engaging against a :corresponding movable partition forming element for moving the same, and means for connecting the means for actuating the movable partition forming elements, said connecting means actuating all of said means and actuating said movable partition forming elements in unison when one of the same is actuated but permitting independent pivotal movement of the other pivoted levers.

13. An egg lifter comprising a frame, a series of iixed upper partition elements secured to opposite sides of said frame, a series of movable partition elements spaced in parallel relation beneath said upper partition elements, the opposite sides of said frame having a series of laterally extending slots for the reception of the ends of said lower partition elements, said slots each having one end beneath the ends of said upper partition elements and having the other end intermediate adjacent upper elements whereby said lower partition elements may be move from a vertically aligned position with respect to said upper partition elements to a staggered position with respect thereto, and means for moving said lower elements from said vertically aligned position to said staggered position.

HUGH K. SCHILLING.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,203,938 Terrio Nov. 7, 1916 1,509,477 Kasser Sept. 23, 1924 2,131,446 Lowenstein Sept. 27, 1938 2,178,525 Taylor Oct. 31, 1939 2,248,648 Thomas et al. July 8, 1941 2,281,730 Thompson May 5, 1942 2,370,122 Bramson Feb. 27, 1945 

